Temperature control system for polymerase chain reaction

• US 6,537,752 B1
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas Scientific LLC
• Original Assignee: Thomas W. Astle
• Inventors: Astle, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, PATRICIA KATHRYN
• Application Number:
  US09/425,070
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/81, 422/66, 422/99, 422/100, 422/103, 422/131, 436/43, 436/180, 435/6, 435/91.2, 435/303.1, 435/288.4, 435/285.1, 219/428-430, 219/433
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0812 Bands; Tapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0265 using valves to interrupt or meter fluid flow, e.g. using solenoids or metering valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/523 for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/023 forming cuvettes in situ, e.g. from plastic strip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0436 with pre-packaged reagents, i.e. test-packs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, including: a first tank into which a multiwell sample carrier may be placed; apparatus to introduce first temperature controlled heat transfer medium into the first tank for a first predetermined length of time; and apparatus to subsequently introduce at least a second second temperature controlled heat transfer medium into the first tank for at least a second predetermined length of time.

Claims

1. In combination, a polymerase chain reaction temperature control system and a multiwell sample carrier comprising:

(a) a sample carrier comprising a coil of carrier tape having wells containing therein polymerase chain reaction materials,

(b) a first tank in which is entirely submerged said sample carrier

(c) means to introduce first temperature controlled heat transfer medium into said first tank for a first predetermined length of time; and

(d) means to subsequently introduce at least a second temperature controlled heat transfer medium into said first tank for at least a second predetermined length of time.

2. A polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first temperature controlled heat transfer medium and said at least said second temperature controlled heat transfer medium are recirculated, respectively, from first and at least second temperature controlled supply tanks.

3. A polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

said first and at least second temperature controlled supply tanks have associated therewith heating and cooling means that provide response around selected temperature control points.

4. A polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first temperature controlled heat transfer medium is introduced into said first tank and recirculated therethrough by means of a pump.

5. A polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, as defined in claim 4, wherein:

a controller controls rate of pumping of said pump to control ramp time of temperature change of said sample carrier.

6. A method of conducting a polymerase chain reaction comprising:

(a) providing a first tank in which is entirely submerged a sample carrier comprising a coil of carrier tape having wells containing therein polymerase chain reaction materials;

(b) introducing a first temperature controlled heat transfer medium into said first tank for a first predetermined length of time; and

(c) subsequently introducing at least a second temperature controlled heat transfer medium into said first tank for at least a second predetermined length of time.

7. A method of conducting a polymerase chain reaction, as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

recirculating said first temperature controlled heat transfer medium and said at least said second temperature controlled heat transfer medium, respectively, from first and at least second temperature controlled supply tanks.

8. A method of conducting a polymerase chain reaction, as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

providing said first and at least second temperature controlled supply tanks with heating and cooling means that provide response around selected temperature control points.

9. A method of conducting a polymerase chain reaction, as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

introducing said first temperature controlled heat transfer medium into said first tank and recirculating said first temperature controlled heat transfer medium therethrough by means of a pump.

10. A method of conducting a polymerase chain reaction, as defined in claim 9, further comprising:

providing a controller to control rate of pumping of said pump to control ramp time of temperature change of said sample carrier.